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Marc S, Crăciun IC, Sicoe B, Savici J, Boldura OM, Paul C, Otavă G, Văduva C, Stancu A. Monosymmetros Cephalothoracopagus Tetrabrachius and Tetrapus Piglets with Syndromic Evolution. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2127. [PMID: 39061589 PMCID: PMC11274208 DOI: 10.3390/ani14142127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Conjoined twins are rare congenital malformations that have been reported in mammals. Two different cases are presented in this study. Case No. 1 features monocephalic, thoracopagus-conjoined twin piglets with anencephaly and palatoschisis of the Pietrain breed, and case No. 2 features monocephalic, thoracopagus conjoined twin piglets with palatoschisis and bifid root tongue of a mixed breed. These cases were examined using post-mortem and computed tomography (CT) examinations. In both cases, the conjoined symmetrical twins had a single head, one neck, and fused thoracic cavities, while the abdominal cavities were separated. Similarly, in both cases, they had four forelimbs and four hindlimbs and duplicated foramen magnum. During CT examination, in case No. 1, severe abnormalities were observed in the skull and vertebral column. In the left twin, occult dysraphism was seen from the C2 vertebra until the end of the vertebral column, and in the right twin, from the C3 vertebra until the end of the state vertebral level. In case No. 2, the oral cavity contained a tongue with a bifid root connected with one hyoid bone, and the soft palate presented a small cleft. During CT examination, the parietal bone and the occipital bones were partially duplicated. This case also presented occult dysraphism, but only in the cervical vertebrae, C1-C6 for the left twin and C1-C5 for the right twin. In both cases, abnormalities of the internal organs were revealed during necropsy. Conjoined twins with multiple congenital anomalies presented here enhance our understanding of the various clinical forms of conjoined cases in veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Ioan Claudiu Crăciun
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Bogdan Sicoe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Jelena Savici
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Oana Maria Boldura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Cristina Paul
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timișoara, Vasile Pârvan 6, 300223 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Gabriel Otavă
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Cristina Văduva
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
| | - Adrian Stancu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania; (S.M.); (I.C.C.); (B.S.); (J.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.); (C.V.); (A.S.)
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Marc S, Savici J, Sicoe B, Boldura OM, Paul C, Otavă G. Exencephaly-Anencephaly Sequence Associated with Maxillary Brachygnathia, Spinal Defects, and Palatoschisis in a Male Domestic Cat. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3882. [PMID: 38136919 PMCID: PMC10741185 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Anencephaly, a severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of major parts of the brain and skull, is a rare congenital disorder that has been observed in various species, including cats. Considering the uncommon appearance of anencephaly, this paper aims to present anencephaly in a stillborn male kitten from an accidental inbreeding using various paraclinical methods. Histological examination of tissue samples from the cranial region, where parts of the skull were absent, revealed the presence of atypical nerve tissue with neurons and glial cells organized in clusters, surrounded by an extracellular matrix and with an abundance of blood vessels, which are large, dilated, and filled with blood, not characteristic of nerve tissue structure. In CT scans, the caudal part of the frontal bone, the fronto-temporal limits, and the parietal bone were observed to be missing. CT also revealed that the dorsal tubercle of the atlas, the dorsal neural arch, and the spinal process of the C2-C7 bones were missing. In conclusion, the kitten was affected by multiple congenital malformations, a combination of exencephaly-anencephaly, maxillary brachygnathism, closed cranial spina bifida at the level of cervical vertebrae, kyphoscoliosis, palatoschisis, and partial intestinal atresia. The importance of employing imaging techniques cannot be overstated when it comes to the accurate diagnosis of neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.M.); (J.S.); (B.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.)
| | - Jelena Savici
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.M.); (J.S.); (B.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.)
| | - Bogdan Sicoe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.M.); (J.S.); (B.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.)
| | - Oana Maria Boldura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.M.); (J.S.); (B.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.)
| | - Cristina Paul
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Engineering of Organic and Natural Compounds, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timisoara, Carol Telbisz 6, 300001 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Gabriel Otavă
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.M.); (J.S.); (B.S.); (O.M.B.); (G.O.)
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Ferrini S, Rollo C, Bellino C, Borriello G, Cagnotti G, Corona C, Di Muro G, Giacobini M, Iulini B, D'Angelo A. A novel machine learning-based web application for field identification of infectious and inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system in cattle. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:766-773. [PMID: 36896810 PMCID: PMC10061175 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) infections in cattle are a major cause of economic loss and mortality. Machine learning (ML) techniques are gaining widespread application in solving predictive tasks in both human and veterinary medicine. OBJECTIVES Our primary aim was to develop and compare ML models that could predict the likelihood of a CNS disorder of infectious or inflammatory origin in neurologically-impaired cattle. Our secondary aim was to create a user-friendly web application based on the ML model for the diagnosis of infection and inflammation of the CNS. ANIMALS Ninety-eight cattle with CNS infection and 86 with CNS disorders of other origin. METHODS Retrospective observational study. Six different ML methods (logistic regression [LR]; support vector machine [SVM]; random forest [RF]; multilayer perceptron [MLP]; K-nearest neighbors [KNN]; gradient boosting [GB]) were compared for their ability to predict whether an infectious or inflammatory disease was present based on demographics, neurological examination findings, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. RESULTS All 6 methods had high prediction accuracy (≥80%). The accuracy of the LR model was significantly higher (0.843 ± 0.005; receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.907 ± 0.005 ) than the other models and was selected for implementation in a web application. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Our findings support the use of ML algorithms as promising tools for veterinarians to improve diagnosis. The open-access web application may aid clinicians in achieving correct diagnosis of infectious and inflammatory neurological disorders in livestock, with the added benefit of promoting appropriate use of antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ferrini
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Cesare Rollo
- Department of Medical SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Claudio Bellino
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | | | - Giulia Cagnotti
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Cristiano Corona
- Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'AostaTurinItaly
| | - Giorgia Di Muro
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Mario Giacobini
- Department of Veterinary SciencesUniversity of TurinTurinItaly
| | - Barbara Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'AostaTurinItaly
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Cervical Vertebral Stenotic Myelopathy in a Nelore Calf. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120699. [PMID: 36548860 PMCID: PMC9782499 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aims to report clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and pathological features in a case of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) affecting a 4-month-old Nelore calf for the first time. During physical examination, the calf could stand if assisted when lifting by the tail but fallen to the ground when trying to walk. Attempts to flex and extend the neck to the right side failed. Radiographs findings consisted of reduced intervertebral spaces, and misalignments between the endplates, more evident between the C3 and C4 vertebrae, resulting in narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord. Grossly, C4 showed cranial articular surface malformation, abnormal metaphyseal growth plate development, reduced vertebral body size and deformity. Histologically, C4 showed an abnormal vertebral bone development characterized by moderate replacement of trabecular bone by fibrous tissues, multifocal areas of dystrophic hyaline cartilage development, and cartilaginous growth failure along the metaphyseal growth plate. Cervical spinal cord within the stenotic vertebral canal showed swollen neurons with central chromatolysis, areas of Wallerian degeneration, and necrotic debris. In contrast with the well-known Wobbler syndrome in horses, the etiology of CVSM in cattle remains undetermined, and further genetic and pathological studies must be conducted to elucidate it.
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Balseiro A, Polledo L, Tuñón J, García Marín JF. Anencephaly and Severe Myelodysplasia in a Stillborn Brown Bear (Ursus arctos arctos). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182345. [PMID: 36139203 PMCID: PMC9494950 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A captive twenty-four-year-old female Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) gave birth to a stillborn cub at the end of gestation. Several malformations resulting from the anomalous development of the neural tube, not previously reported in bears, were observed in the cub. These included anencephaly, hypoplasia, micromyelia, severe myelodysplasia, syringomyelia, and spina bifida. The aetiology remains unidentified. Abstract Malformations in the development of the neural tube have been described to be associated with different aetiologies, such as genetic factors, toxic plants, chemical products, viral agents, or hyperthermia. A twenty-four-year-old female Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), permanently in captivity and kept under food and management control, gave birth to a stillborn cub at the end of gestation. Several malformations resulting from the anomalous development of the neural tube, not previously reported in bears, were observed, such as anencephaly, hypoplasia, micromyelia, severe myelodysplasia, syringomyelia, and spina bifida. Multiple canal defects (e.g., absence) were also observed in the spinal cord. In some regions, the intradural nerve roots surrounded the spinal cord in a diffuse and continuous way. The aetiology remains unidentified, although the advanced age of the mother and/or folic acid deficit might have been the possible causes of this disorder. Supplements of folate given to the mother before and during early pregnancy may have reduced the incidence of neural tube defects. That supplementation should be considered when the reproduction of bears is to occur in captivity, in order to prevent the loss of future generations of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, 24346 Grulleros, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Polledo
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - José Tuñón
- Fundación Oso Asturias, 33114 Proaza, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco García Marín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, 24346 Grulleros, Spain
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Gorjidooz M, Rahimabadi PD, Raoofi A, Masoudifard M, Mardjanmehr SH. Ultrasonographic approach and findings in calves with hydranencephaly. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1718-1727. [PMID: 34146385 PMCID: PMC8464232 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teratogenic viral infections may proceed to hydranencephaly in cattle. Post-mortem and antemortem diagnosis can be achieved by necropsy or ultrasonography, CT-scan and MRI techniques. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine how effective ultrasonography approach is in detecting hydranencephaly in calves. METHODS In this study, ultrasonography images were obtained from brains of nine Holstein claves, of the same age, with neurological signs (due to Akabane virus infection), approaching from the caudal part of the temporal bone. To confirm the obtained images, the same approach was used to obtain images from a normal calf of the same age. The thickness of the temporal bone was measured and compared in seven affected and the healthy calves, using CT-scan images. RESULTS In ultrasonographic images, temporal bone (as a hyperechoic structure) and temporal cortical mantle (as an echogenic structure) were noted in the right and left side of the skull. The medial part of the image showed presence of fluid in an anechoic region, instead of brain parenchyma. Falx cerebri was also seen as a floating hyperechoic line in the middle part in all patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the thickness of temporal bone in normal and affected calves (p = 0.502). All findings were confirmed by necropsy. CONCLUSIONS Transtemporal approach is a novel and easy approach to study the brain in calves. This is the first study on the hydranencephalic brains of claves, using ultrasonography by transtemporal approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Gorjidooz
- Department of Clinical SciencesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineGarmsar BranchIslamic Azad UniversityGarmsarIran
| | | | - Afshin Raoofi
- Department of Internal MedicineFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of TehranTehranIran
| | - Majid Masoudifard
- Department of Surgery and RadiologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of TehranTehranIran
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Liatis T, De Stefani A, Mantis P, Cherubini GB. Delayed forebrain syndrome due to presumptive traumatic intranasal meningoencephalocele in a cat. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2019-000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theophanes Liatis
- Neurology & Neurosurgery ServiceDick White ReferralsSix Mile BottomUnited Kingdom
| | - Alberta De Stefani
- Queen Mother Hospital for Small AnimalsRoyal Veterinary CollegeHatfieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Panagiotis Mantis
- Diagnostic Imaging ServiceDick White ReferralsSix Mile BottomUnited Kingdom
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Burgstaller J, Thaller D, Leeb T, Schlesinger P, Kofler J. Syringomyelia in a Newborn Male Simmental Calf. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29:1633-7. [PMID: 26478221 PMCID: PMC4895670 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. Burgstaller
- University Clinic for RuminantsUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - D. Thaller
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - T. Leeb
- Institute of GeneticsVetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | - J. Kofler
- University Clinic for RuminantsUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
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Abstract
Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are relatively common in food animals. Potential causes include infectious agents, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disorders, genetic defects, toxins, and idiopathic causes. Determining the correct etiologic diagnosis often depends on a thorough postmortem examination and collection of samples. This article reviews some of the steps and procedures necessary to collect the necessary information on CNS diseases in food animals. Techniques for the examination of the CNS are briefly described, and some of the gross pathology likely to be encountered in a food animal practice is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome C Nietfeld
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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White PJ, Windsor PA. Congenital chondrodystrophy of unknown origin in beef herds. Vet J 2012; 193:336-43. [PMID: 22633829 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Congenital chondrodystrophy of unknown origin (CCUO), often referred to as 'acorn calf disease' or congenital joint laxity and dwarfism (CJLD), has been reported in beef cattle in Canada, the United States, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. An association of CCUO with grazing drought-affected pastures, feeding hay-only or silage-only diets or supplementation with apple pulp suggests a nutritional cause such as a mineral deficiency. This review compares published reports on CCUO in order to identify common features among outbreaks and to provide a basis for future research into the condition. A protocol for investigation of outbreaks is provided to improve the outcome of future comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J White
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2006, Australia.
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Polledo L, García Marín JF, Martínez-Fernández B, González J, Alonso J, Salceda W, García-Iglesias MJ. Recurrent outbreaks of myelodysplasia in newborn calves. J Comp Pathol 2012; 147:479-85. [PMID: 22520815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The present study records recurrent outbreaks of myelodysplasia of unknown origin occurring in a specific geographical location in the north of Spain, and involving up to 30% of the calves born in affected herds. The affected calves were of different breeds and displayed non-progressive signs of spinal cord dysfunction. The disease has occurred annually in February-March over a period of at least 15 years. Only calves born to cattle grazed on mountainside pastures and under high grazing pressure were affected. Seven calves were subjected to necropsy examination. Myelodysplasia was not associated with vertebral defects or arthrogryposis and involved the entire length of the spinal cord. Microscopically, there was abnormal distribution of the grey matter, aberrations of the central canal and failure of formation of the ventral median fissure. Infectious, nutritional and physical disorders were ruled out as possible aetiologies. A critical period of embryonic susceptibility to the causal agent was identified. This was during the time of secondary neurulation when cows in the early stages of gestation were grazed on mountainside pastures. Consequently, the presence of neuroteratogenic plants in these pastures is proposed as a likely cause. Two plants, Carex brevicollis and Erythronium dens-canis, which contain alkaloids, were identified on the mountainsides where affected cattle were grazed and not in other pastures, and are proposed as the possible aetiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Polledo
- Pathological Anatomy Section, Animal Health Department, University of León, León 24007, Spain.
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Timsit E, Albaric O, Colle MA, Costiou P, Cesbron N, Bareille N, Assié S. Clinical and histopathologic characterization of a central and peripheral axonopathy in Rouge-des-prés (Maine Anjou) calves. J Vet Intern Med 2011; 25:386-92. [PMID: 21281347 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0662.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis leading invariably to recumbency has been reported in Rouge-des-prés calves. OBJECTIVES To characterize the clinical and pathological findings of this newly reported disease and to investigate its potential causes. ANIMALS Nine calves from 7 different farms were prospectively studied from initial diagnosis through postmortem examination. METHODS Physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and myelographic examinations were performed. Neuropathology was carried out on both central and peripheral nervous systems. Copper deficiency and organophosphate intoxication also were investigated. Pedigrees were analyzed. RESULTS Age of onset varied from 2 to 6 weeks. Initial signs included pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis. The neurological signs systematically progressed, over a 1-3-month period, to severe pelvic limb and truncal ataxia along with moderate paraparesis, leading to permanent recumbency. Animals remained alert. Cranial nerve function was normal. Muscle atrophy was not observed and spinal reflexes were normal. Blood tests, CSF analysis, and myelographic examination did not identify any abnormality. Neuropathology indicated neuronal fiber degeneration particularly in the dorsolateral and ventromedial funiculi of the spinal cord and in the peripheral nerves. Degenerative lesions also were observed in lateral vestibular and thoracic nuclei. No environmental factors such as copper deficiency or organophosphate intoxication could be incriminated as the cause of this axonopathy. Pedigree analysis suggested an inherited defect. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The first description of a central and peripheral axonopathy is reported in Rouge-des-prés calves. An inherited defect is highly suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Timsit
- Department of Farm Animal Health and Public Health, ONIRIS, Nantes, France.
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